The objective of the program ECORS is entirely contained in its title: Study by Continental and Oceanic Seismic reflection and refraction. It is to explore the Earth's crust as a whole, its variations in thickness and its internal structure to reconstitute its properties and developments. In this scientific goal added some applications.

It is possible to discover in the bottom of ponds known as fronts or mountainous areas of sediment that could reveal hidden hydrocarbons. Awareness precise fracture zones may be useful in geothermal exploration and assessment of earthquake risk. The program also works to improving the means geophysical implemented, both on the field and the processing of data.